A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court challenging the inaction on the part of the State government to implement the recommendations of the Ram Pradhan Committee while passing the Maharashtra State Security Corporation Act.
The PIL, which came up before a division bench of Justices V M Kanade and M S Sonak, states that the procedure for recruitment, selection, training and service conditions of the officers and members of the security force appointed under the State Security Act are in violation of Article 14, 16 and 21 of the Constitution.
The PIL seeks a direction to the National Investigation Agency to produce all records pertaining to appointment, recruitment of the security force personnel and the funds received from the government, semi-government and private sector towards the salary to be paid to security personnel.
The PIL, filed by the All Maharashtra Human Rights Welfare Association, says the object and intent of the Act is to provide better protection and security to all the government, semi-government, public and private undertakings with well-equipped manpower and technical consultancy. It alleges that the authorities have failed to perform their duties and functions which may result in jeopardising the peace, security and protection of the government and non-government undertakings vis-à-vis the citizens of India.
The PIL seeks a monthly salary for security personnel as per provisions of the Bombay Police Act. It also urges that the records pertaining to appointment, recruitment of security force personnel and the funds received from the government, semi-government and private sector towards the salary paid to the personnel be produced.
The court has asked the State and NIA to file its reply in four weeks.
